Storms, thunder, lightening, fires, earthquakes, devastation, cities sinking into the ocean and cities rising and being covered by mountains, "great and terrible was the destruction" and "the whole face of the land was changed." (3 Nephi 8:11-12)
Darkness then covered the land for three days. This was no ordinary darkness. "There was a thick darkness...insomuch that they could feel the vapor of darkness...neither could they light candles, neither torches or fires be kindled..." Imagine the sense of doom and despair.
"There was great mourning and howling and weeping among all the people continually...great were the groanings of the people because of the darkness which had come upon them....they were heard to cry 'O that we had repented!'....and thus the howlings of the people were terrible." (3 Nephi 8:23-25)
In the dreadful darkness, a voice was heard."Wo unto the inhabitants of the whole earth except they repent; for the devil laugheth and his angels rejoice because of the slain of the fair sons and daughters of my people; and it is because of their iniquity and abominations that they are fallen (3 Nephi 9:2)...Will ye not now RETURN unto me and REPENT of your sins and BE CONVERTED that I may HEAL you? If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life...whosoever will come I will receive." (3 Nephi 9:13-14)
What the Lord has to do to get our attention! He only wishes to bless us with his deepest desire: eternal life! When we are finally humble enough to turn to Him, listen to Him and accept Him with a "broken heart and contrite spirit" we are "visited" by Him and "baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost."
"I have come to bring redemption unto the world and to save the world from sin. Therefore whoso repenteth and cometh as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore, repent and come unto me ye ends of the earth and be SAVED." (3 Nephi 9:20-22)
After hearing this, the people were silent for "the space of many hours," processing this hopeful and beautiful message in the darkness. "And the darkness dispersed...and the earth did cease to tremble...and did cleave together again, that it stood...and their mourning was turned to joy! And their lamentations into praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer."
The next day the people gathered at the temple when the sweetest, most glorious experience of their lives occured! Enjoy the rest of the story in today's reading!
- Opening Song: "I Know That My Redeemer Lives"
- Begin study session with prayer
- Scripture Study: 3 Nephi 8-11 (listen)
- Study Guide: (here)
- Video: Discussions on the Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 10-11
- Video: Signs of Christ’s Crucifixion
- Video: Jesus Christ Appears to the Nephites
“The greatest miracles I see today are not necessarily the healing of sick bodies, but the greatest miracles I see are the healing of sick souls”--President Harold B. Lee "And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came. Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name- hear ye him." 3 Nephi 11:5, 7
- Video: "A Change in the Commandment to Sacrifice" Elder D. Todd Christofferson (3 Nephi 9:20)
- Video: "Christ Brings Light Where There Is Darkness" Elder Robert D. Hales (3 Nephi 10:9–13)
“Christ in our lives is not meant to grieve us or weigh us down unto death because we have been imperfect. Through Him we may be LIFTED UP by ACCEPTING His gifts and His mercy and long-suffering. These blessings we must seek to keep in our minds always.” --Marion D. Hanks
- "The Testaments" Beautiful, entertaining and powerful...
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